BEIJING - The devastation of the Sichuan earthquake has in no way diminished China's enthusiasm for hosting the Beijing Olympics in August, Chinese table tennis great Deng Yaping said on Tuesday.
The four-times Olympic gold medallist, once voted China's athlete of the 20th Century, spent three days in Sichuan in the wake of the 7.9 magnitude tremor, which struck on May 12 and has claimed a toll of nearly 87,000 dead or missing.
Even among the survivors, she said, the desire to witness the Olympics coming to China for the first time from Aug 8-24 was undiminished.
"Holding the Olympics been an aspiration for the Chinese people for 100 years," Deng, now an Beijing Olympic official preparing the Olympic village, told reporters.
"Since July 13, 2001 we have been preparing and looking forward to it. Now there are not many days to go. I believe the people are still looking forward to it and for myself, my enthusiasm has not lessened at all."
Deng travelled with other former sporting greats to Sichuan, where they handed out sports equipment and Olympic mascots (known as Fuwas) to schoolchildren in the stricken area.
"The Olympic spirit -- higher, faster, stronger -- the children have been educated a lot about that in the last seven years," she said.
"They have become familiar with the Olympic spirit. By giving them the Fuwas we sent the message that they could constantly overcome all the difficulties and pursue excellence."
Despite her faith in the enduring popularity of the Olympics, Deng criticised the droves of her compatriots who left an athletics test event at the Bird's Nest stadium last month immediately after local hero Liu Xiang had won his hurdles race.
"I do think it was wrong," the 35-year-old added.
"The Olympics is an opportunity for the Chinese people and athletes to regale the foreign athletes and guests.
"As an athlete, I was warmly welcomed in the countries I went to. So I think we should reward the foreign athletes with the same kindness and applause."
